The 10 Best Soulslike Games, From Elden Ring to Lies of P

The best soulslike to start with is Elden Ring: its open world always gives you another path when a boss blocks you. After that, Dark Souls III, Sekiro and Bloodborne are FromSoftware's great classics, while Lies of P and Nioh 2 prove other studios have nailed the recipe too. Here are 10 demanding games, each with its own way of killing you and making you want to try again.

Why this list

A soulslike is an action game where any enemy can kill you, where you drop your resources on death and have to go back for them. Rest points respawn enemies, bosses demand that you learn their attacks, and victory comes from your own progress, not just your character's.

We picked games that cover the whole range: FromSoftware's landmarks, very strong successors and a few more forgiving games for anyone who wants to taste the genre without getting crushed. Playtimes come from players on IGDB and cover the main story. Often double that to explore everything.

1. 

   1. Elden Ring

   2022 · Main story 46 h

   The ideal entry point, and maybe the best of the genre. The open world of the Lands Between lets you explore freely, level up elsewhere and come back stronger. Spirit summons help a lot too. Expect about 46 hours for the story, far more if you search everything. Full breakdown in how long to beat Elden Ring.

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2. 

   2. Dark Souls III

   2016 · Main story 28.5 h

   The fastest, most aggressive Dark Souls. Its areas link together with clever shortcuts, and its bosses are among the best FromSoftware has ever made. More linear than Elden Ring, so more intense. About 28.5 hours for the story. If you loved it, see our games like Dark Souls III.

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3. 

   3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

   2019 · Main story 22 h

   No leveling or builds here: you are a shinobi and everything hinges on deflecting. You break enemies' posture by parrying their attacks at the right moment. It is the most demanding game on this list, but also the most rewarding once it clicks. About 22 hours for the story.

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4. 

   4. Bloodborne

   2015 · Main story 24.5 h

   A gothic horror soulslike in the cursed city of Yharnam. The game pushes you to attack instead of hiding behind a shield: winning back health by striking right after taking a hit changes everything. The atmosphere is unforgettable. About 24.5 hours for the story, on PS4 only.

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5. 

   5. Lies of P

   2023

   A dark retelling of Pinocchio in a Belle Époque-inspired city overrun by puppets gone mad. The weapon system, where you combine blades and handles, is very deep, and the bosses are superb. It is the most faithful heir to the FromSoftware formula. Perfect after Bloodborne.

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6. 

   6. Nioh 2

   2020 · Main story 40 h

   A soulslike set in a Japan of samurai and yokai, with very technical combat: three stances, varied weapons and a unique stamina system. There is a huge amount of loot and missions. More focused on action and min-maxing than the others. About 40 hours for the story, for players who want a lot of content.

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7. 

   7. Black Myth: Wukong

   2024 · Main story 26 h

   Inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West, you play a staff-wielding monkey through gorgeous landscapes. It borrows tough bosses from the soulslike genre but stays smoother and more spectacular. A good middle ground between classic action and a true soulslike. About 26 hours for the story, see how long Black Myth: Wukong takes.

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8. 

   8. Hollow Knight

   2017 · Main story 15.5 h

   The soulslike in 2D. You explore Hallownest, a ruined insect kingdom, with the same punishing deaths, the same bosses to learn and the same understated storytelling. It is also a metroidvania, so every new ability opens new paths. About 15.5 hours for the story, much more to see it all.

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9. 

   9. Lords of the Fallen

   2014 · Main story 15 h

   Deck13's 2014 game, a shorter and slower soulslike with heavy armor and deliberate combat. Less refined than FromSoftware's games, but more approachable and quicker to finish, in about 15 hours. A good choice for a first try without sinking dozens of hours into it.

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10. 

    10. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

    2019 · Main story 11.5 h

    The most approachable game on the list. Respawn borrows rest points, respawning enemies and parry-based combat, but adds a lightsaber and adjustable difficulty. Perfect for learning the genre's basics gently. About 11.5 hours for the story, then move on to Jedi: Survivor.

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Tips for surviving a soulslike

Take your time. Move slowly through a new area, watch the enemies and do not mash attack: stamina is your most precious resource. When a boss blocks you, study its combos without trying to win, just to learn when to strike.

Dying is part of the game. If you are truly stuck, go explore somewhere else, level up a bit or switch weapons. And do not be ashamed to use summons when the game offers them. Finally, avoid playing three soulslikes in a row: mix in something lighter to avoid burnout. If you love the exploration side of Hollow Knight, our metroidvania guide is for you.

FAQ

What is the best soulslike for beginners?

Elden Ring is often the best pick, because its open world lets you go somewhere else when you get stuck. If you want something gentler still, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order offers adjustable difficulty while teaching you the genre's basics.

What is the hardest soulslike?

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is often called the most demanding, because there is no leveling to fall back on: it all comes down to mastering the deflect. But difficulty depends a lot on your style, and some players struggle more with Bloodborne.

How long does a soulslike usually take?

In this list, the main story ranges from about 11.5 hours for Fallen Order to about 46 hours for Elden Ring, according to players on IGDB. Repeated deaths and exploration can easily double those numbers.